WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Members of Congress, Health Care Leaders, and Advocates Applaud Administration's Latest Measure to Lower Costs and Extend Affordable Health Coverage to Families

On Tuesday, to continue lowering costs for American families, President Biden signed an executive order to expand quality, affordable health care and the Administration proposed a rule to remedy the "family glitch." The proposed rule would make 200,000 people newly eligible for coverage through the Affordable Care Act and lower premiums for nearly 1 million Americans.

President Biden and Vice President Harris believe that health care is a right, not a privilege. Tuesday's actions build upon existing efforts the Biden-Harris Administration has taken, including through the American Rescue Plan, to reduce costs for Americans and give them greater peace of mind.

Here's what they are saying:

Members of Congress

Speaker of the House, California Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi: "President Biden's Executive Order today is a powerful step forward in Democrats' relentless work to lower families' health costs. With this bold action to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, nearly a million Americans will see lower premiums for their health insurance and hundreds of thousands of uninsured Americans will gain affordable coverage. The Affordable Care Act stands as a pillar of American health and financial security, alongside Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Through this executive action to deliver affordable health coverage to those families who only have unaffordable coverage options at work, we are realizing a key priority of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act passed by the House Democratic Majority in 2020. Now, more families will have lower health costs and more money in their pockets each month. Democrats will continue building on our work to lower health costs. Our American Rescue Plan dramatically lowered the cost of care under the ACA, saving families an average of $2,400 last year while helping more families find coverage during the pandemic. And we are continuing to fight to slash prescription drug prices across the board, including with our House-passed legislation to cap families' out-of-pocket cost for insulin at $35 per month. Thanks to the relentless leadership of President Biden and the Democratic Congress, health care is more affordable and accessible than ever before. Democrats are Building a Better America For The People – and we will never relent in our fight to bring down the burdensome health costs weighing heavy on America's families." [Statement, 4/5/22]

House Majority Leader, Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer: "I commend President Biden, alongside former President Obama and Vice President Harris, for signing an executive action today addressing the 'family glitch' that has long prevented many working families from accessing affordable health care. With today's executive order, coverage will become more affordable for nearly a million more Americans, and 200,000 more will gain coverage. Additionally, many hard-working families will see lower premiums. This builds on the success we have had strengthening the Affordable Care Act through enhanced subsidies in the American Rescue Plan, which have lowered premiums for 9 million Americans by an average of $50 per month per person. Democrats will continue the fight to bring down health care costs for Americans by protecting these subsidies, continuing the fight to lower prescription drug prices through negotiation, capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month, and working to expand access to affordable coverage for all." [Statement, 4/5/22]

Delaware Senator Tom Carper, Chairman, Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: "I like to say if something isn't perfect, let's make it better. When it comes to our health care system, we should always be striving to make it work better for all Americans. Thank you @POTUS, for building on the ACA to better serve families across the country." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

California Senator Alex Padilla: "Strengthening the ACA and lowering health care costs is a pretty big deal — thanks @BarackObama and @POTUS" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Colorado Senator Michael Bennet: "Today Pres. Biden proposed action to lower health care costs and expand access to affordable health insurance. I've been fighting for this with Tim Kaine. We will lower costs for families and expand access to high quality, affordable healthcare." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth: "Thanks to the leadership of President Obama, millions of Americans have access to healthcare that they didn't before. Because Democrats know that healthcare is a right for all. Not just the few." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen: "We've come a long way since we fought to pass & enact the ACA, but more work is needed. Fixing this problem is an immediate fix to a real problem as we work toward the goal of universal coverage." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen: "The #ACA is a historic law that opened access to health care to millions of Americans. I applaud @POTUS for introducing a bold proposal today to build on that work & further lower health care costs. Our work to deliver affordable, accessible care for all goes on." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

New Jersey Congressman Frank Pallone, Chairman, House Energy and Commerce Committee: "Fixing the family glitch has been a longtime priority and I'm grateful to President Biden and his Administration for working with us to get this done. "The family glitch put the cost of health care out of reach for many Americans, but thanks to President Biden's actions, 200,000 people are expected to gain health care coverage and nearly one million will see lower monthly premiums. "Today's announcements mark another significant administrative action to expand access to quality, affordable health care. I applaud the President for his efforts to lower costs and look forward to continuing to work together to make health care more affordable for all." [Statement, 4/5/22]

California Congresswoman Sara Jacobs: "12 years ago @POTUS and @BarackObama fought to deliver affordable health coverage to millions of Americans. I'm grateful for this important policy change that gets more people better quality and more affordable coverage." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

California Congressman Mike Levin: "Today, I watched as @POTUS signed an Executive Order strengthening the Affordable Care Act by fixing the "family glitch". This will help 200K uninsured people gain coverage & nearly 1M Americans see their coverage become more affordable. This is a huge step forward for the ACA!" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Connecticut Congressman John Larson: "Today @POTUS is taking action to lower health care costs for nearly 1 million Americans and help 200,000 individuals gain coverage. I applaud this move and will continue to work with the Administration to lower health care costs." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Delaware Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester: "As a result of actions taken today by the @WhiteHouse , a million Americans will pay less for health coverage and 200,000 Americans will get covered in the first place. This is on top of the 14.5 MILLION that got covered in the last enrollment period. This is incredible!" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz: "Still working to ensure more Americans have quality, affordable health care, thank you @BarackObama and @POTUS for fighting every day to #ProtectOurCare. [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Illinois Congressman Bill Foster: "Because of @POTUS ' Executive Order to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, nearly a million Americans will see lower premiums for their health insurance and hundreds of thousands of uninsured Americans will gain affordable coverage. #ProtectOurCare" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Illinois Congresswoman Lauren Underwood: "Today, I attended the White House signing ceremony on an Executive Order that strengthens the Affordable Care Act. I'm thrilled to see the Administration fix the "family glitch" loophole, ensuring the ACA can extend affordable health coverage to over one million more families." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Indiana Congressman André Carson: "It's wonderful to see @POTUS and President Obama together to celebrate the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and announce changes to strengthen the law. Thanks to their efforts and those of @HouseDemocrats, health care is more affordable and accessible than ever before." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne: "It was an honor to join @POTUS , former President @BarackObama , @VP , and my colleagues at the White House today for the signing of an executive order to close the "family glitch" and help nearly 1M Americans save on their health care costs!" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Maryland Congressman David Trone: "Today, @POTUS announced a new plan that would fix the "family glitch"— which has made it nearly impossible for families to use the premium tax credit to purchase affordable health insurance. This is BIG news and will save American families hundreds of dollars a month!" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence: "30+ million Americans have health care coverage because of the Affordable Care Act. As a result of @POTUS ' Executive Order today to strengthen the #ACA, nearly a million Americans will see lower premiums & hundreds of thousands of uninsured Americans will gain affordable coverage" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum: "Tens of thousands of Minnesotans will have lower health care costs because of @POTUS's executive order to strengthen the Affordable Care Act! Democrats are delivering to #ProtectOurCare." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Nevada Congresswoman Susie Lee: "Earlier this year, I wrote to the Administration, asking them to fix the "family glitch" in the ACA. Today, President Biden did just that, lowering health care costs for nearly 1 million Americans." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

New York Congressman Brian Higgins: "Over 12 yrs ago the Affordable Care Act expanded access to quality, low-cost health coverage for Americans. Today @POTUS is building on ACA's progress, with an Executive Order making health care more affordable & accessible for families. The Affordable Care Act delivered" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

North Carolina Congresswoman Kathy Manning: "Because of @POTUS' Executive Order to strengthen the Affordable Care Act, nearly a million Americans will see lower premiums for their health insurance and hundreds of thousands of uninsured Americans will gain affordable coverage. #ProtectOurCare" [Tweet, 4/6/22]

Pennsylvania Congresswoman Susan Wild: "Recently I led this letter urging @POTUS to close the "family glitch." Today, President Biden is proposing a plan to address just that. By finalizing this plan, it's estimated that nearly 1 million Americans would see their coverage become more affordable." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Pennsylvania Congresswoman Madeleine Dean: "I am privileged to join @POTUS and @BarackObama to discuss the success of the Affordable Care Act and how we can build upon it — like fixing the family glitch. *1.2 million Pennsylvanians* gained healthcare coverage through the ACA. Let's keep working to build upon it." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Texas Congressman Colin Allred: "The #ACA and its protections have been a lifeline for so many North Texans who have pre-existing conditions, or who were paying exorbitant prices for coverage. I was honored to join @POTUS , and @BarackObama , as he signed this Executive Order to lower costs and expand coverage." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett: "President Biden's Executive Order will fix the glitch and ensure more families can afford to #GetCovered." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Virginia Congressman Don Beyer: ". @POTUS ' executive order to strengthen the Affordable Care Act will lower premiums for nearly a million Americans, and give affordable coverage hundreds of thousands of uninsured Americans. That's change I can believe in!" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton: "This action by @POTUS will make quality health insurance plans more affordable and accessible to millions of Americans. It builds on our work through the American Rescue Plan to bring premiums to an all-time low and expand enrollment to an all-time high." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Health Care Organizations

Gerald Harmon, President, American Medical Association: "With the announcement today, the Biden Administration has taken a crucial step in the campaign to cover the 5 million people who fall into the family glitch. The family glitch is inconsistent with the goals of the Affordable Care Act and unfairly penalizes family members of lower-income workers. The American Medical Association has repeatedly asked (PDF) Congress and administrations to fix the glitch, and the Biden Administration has made good on its promise to make health care coverage more affordable." [Statement, 4/5/22]

American Medical Women's Association: "Access to affordable healthcare is a human right. Today, AMWA Exec Dir @ElizaChinMD joined healthcare leaders in the Capitol to support Pres. Biden's Exec. Order to strengthen access to ACA & Medicaid & the Biden-Harris proposal to fix the "family glitch." http://bit.ly/EOonACA-M4-22" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Rick Pollack, President and CEO, American Hospital Association: "All Americans deserve access to comprehensive health care and coverage. We can get there by building on the Affordable Care Act. Hospitals and health systems strongly support the Biden Administration's efforts to help more Americans secure affordable health insurance by proposing to eliminate the 'family glitch.' The AHA will continue to work with the Administration to preserve and expand enrollment in comprehensive coverage." [Statement, 4/5/22]

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society – Policy Advocacy: "We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration for its efforts to fix the "family glitch," a loophole that has locked some families out of health insurance coverage. Don't know what the "family glitch" is? Learn more here: https://whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/04/05/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-proposes-rule-to-fix-family-glitch-and-lower-health-care-costs/ #ACA ¼" [Tweet, 4/6/22]

Matt Eyles, President and CEO, America's Health Insurance Plans: "Every American deserves access to affordable coverage and high-quality care, and health insurance providers are committed to delivering for them with more choices, better quality, and lower costs. AHIP supports proposals to fix the 'family glitch' in the ACA, and affordability and access both in the employer and individual markets will remain our core values as we review this proposed rule. We applaud the Administration for maintaining their focus on making health care more accessible and available, and we are confident that by working together, we can ensure that more families will benefit from affordable coverage that protects their health and financial stability." [Statement, 4/6/22]

Nurses for America: "Can you see @POTUS signing an executive order at the desk surrounded by @VP @SpeakerPelosi @BarackObama to improve the #ACA by eliminating the #familyglitch strengthening access lowering costs improving homecare behavioral and maternal health" [Tweet, 4/5/22]

American Academy of Family Physicians: "The @AAFP is pleased the @WhiteHouse is proposing to fix the ACA #familyglitch. Current policy prevents many families from accessing affordable health coverage via #ACA marketplaces." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Advocacy Leaders and Organizations

Laura Packard, Executive Director, Healthcare Voter: "Five years ago today, I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. The Affordable Care Act saved my life. Honored to be at the White House today where POTUS signed an executive order to expand on it." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Elena Hung, Executive Director, Little Lobbyists: "The Affordable Care Act provided access to life-saving health care and helped countless Little Lobbyists children survive and thrive. Honored to be at the White House today as POTUS signed an Executive Order to expand on it." [Tweet, 4/5/22]

Emily Stewart, Executive Director, Community Catalyst: "Today's proposed rule to fix the family glitch represents a big step forward for families who need more affordable health coverage. We applaud today's action from the Biden administration and will do everything we can to get this proposed rule over the finish line as soon as possible. For more than a decade, health advocates have been calling for today's change, and we are thrilled the Biden administration is taking this step for 5 million people. Fixing the family glitch is especially important for children, who make up more than half of those impacted and are at risk of missing well visits, vaccinations and other important care as a result." [Statement, 4/5/22]

Leslie Dach, Chair, Protect Our Care: "The Affordable Care Act is the gift that keeps on giving. Despite years of attacks by Republican lawmakers, the law is stronger than ever and a record number of Americans have enrolled in affordable coverage. Democrats have proven time and again that the ACA lowers health costs and improves care. President Biden has reduced insurance premiums, expanded coverage, tackled racial equity and is now closing 'the family glitch' — all by building on the Affordable Care Act." [Statement, 4/5/22]

Brad Woodhouse, Executive Director, Protect Our Care: "There has never been a more urgent time to lower health care costs, and President Biden is delivering again. Americans are sick and tired of choosing between paying the bills and getting the health care they need. The Biden administration understands the needs of working families, and today's announcement made clear that Democrats are committed to building on the strong foundation of the ACA to lower costs and give families the health care they deserve. What have Republicans proposed to lower health care costs and fight inflation? Not a damn thing." [Statement, 4/5/22]

Emily Gee, Vice President and Coordinator for Health Policy, Center for American Progress: "The Biden administration's action to fix the ACA's family glitch will allow over a million Americans without an affordable health coverage option to access the financial help they deserve. This rule will lower health care costs for low- and middle-income families that cannot afford employer-sponsored plan premiums. It will help the families of hard-working Americans, including some of the 2.8 million children who are not eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program. Because of the new rule, about 200,000 people who are uninsured will finally gain access to comprehensive, affordable coverage. The new policy will also reduce premium costs for others who already have health insurance coverage." [Statement, 4/5/22]

John Arensmeyer, Founder and CEO, Small Business Majority:
"We are glad that the Biden Harris administration is taking steps to fix the so-called 'family glitch' in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). This issue has plagued the small business community for years and has kept more than 5 million people from qualifying for subsidized healthcare plans and accessing cost-sharing reductions for marketplace coverage. By addressing the family glitch, more small business owners, their employees, and their families will be able to access and afford coverage. Under the current rules, the ACA provides financial assistance through the individual marketplace to customers who would otherwise spend more than 9.83% of their income on their company's health plan premium for employee-only coverage. Most of the people caught in the ACA's family glitch now are insured through an employer but are paying very high premiums. In turn, hardworking low- and middle-income families have been blocked from getting affordable healthcare coverage through the marketplace because they or their spouse have been offered unaffordable employer-sponsored coverage. We know that many small businesses want to offer affordable healthcare benefits to their employees, but they can't afford to do so. Indeed, our research has found that healthcare costs are one of the biggest challenges for small businesses. More than 1 in 3 small businesses said they have struggled to obtain health insurance coverage for themselves and their employees during the pandemic. Fixing the family glitch will help many in the small business ecosystem by allowing more individuals to switch to ACA marketplace coverage with premium assistance. This is an important step to improving healthcare affordability and expanding access to critical coverage." [Statement, 4/5/22]

Alan Balch, CEO, National Patient Advocate Foundation: "Families can spend, on average, three times as much on annual insurance premiums than an individual plan. As written, the family glitch was an oversight. In practice, though, it affected millions of Americans, keeping them uninsured or their premiums too high. The new rule will make navigating the system and understanding coverage options easier and more intuitive for families." [Statement, 4/5/22]

Frederick Isasi, Executive Director, Families USA: "Thanks to President Biden's action today, five million working families are on the path to affordable health care that they were previously denied because of a technicality and in direct contradiction of what the Affordable Care Act's authors intended. I was in the room negotiating that legislation and can say in no uncertain terms: years ago the Treasury Department got it wrong when they interpreted the law. Today's announcement is a long-overdue step that will help make health care more affordable for people who are just trying to get by. Parents and their children are lucky to have champions like President Biden and his team making sure that, even when other costs are increasing, their family will be able to afford to get care when they need it. Easing this burden on families is smart policy that will pay off over the long term by making it possible for people to see a doctor without it breaking the bank and before they wind up in the emergency room." [Statement, 4/5/22]